Fake Schools

You probably know by now that I am a man with many hats. One of my “wardrobe” is a Property Management business. This week, one of our properties sprung a water leak and I had to coordinate the repairs. Do you know how much plumbers charge? $160 an hour! They make more money than many college graduates. And they are very busy. Plus they aren’t burdened with student loans. Surprised? I even know of one who worked as a handyman during High School. He was already earning money while his batch mates struggled in college. Four years later he had enough money to go to Law School and Dental School. Now, bored with just 2 professions, he ran for office and is now also serving as a school superintendent. He drives a Porsche and owns 2 homes. Many of his batch mates are underpaid and heavily in debt.

One may look down at  garbage collectors, truck drivers, construction workers … those blue collar workers … but they earn more than most college grads and, again without the student loans. You’ve heard of mischievous Fake News that have a biased agenda? Well, we have what I cal Fake Schools!

Is a college degree worth the status symbol? I’ve long been an antagonist to the current education system. I believe higher institutions protect the teachers and professors and their industry more than concern for their students. They advertise how wonderful it would be to fulfill one’s dreams of a white collar job but they do not divulge the reality of the over-production of many professions. To be fair, not all vocational schools are good either. I mean, really … how many more beauticians do we need?

See the news anchors on TV? To begin with, there are not a lot of positions in that arena and we’ve watched the wrinkles develop (over 20 years) on some of them and they still aren’t stepping down to give the younger ones a break at the spotlight. Yet schools churn up a lot of these wanna-be MasCom grads. Notice the many British and Australian actors pretending to be Americans in TV and movie shows? Why is that? Notice that the same extras always appear in different shows? It’s like a very small circuit of privileged actors always getting the jobs.

Whoever said “follow your passion” did not consider the practical realities because there are a lot of waiters and Fast Food graduates who followed their dreams. Did Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg finish college? If you really want to go to college choose a career that is practical rather than comfortable.

‘Tis the season of graduation and moving to higher learning. Do you know someone who’s haggling for a student loan? Please help them be discerning. Tell them to do the research. Is there a demand for their skill? Will their salary pay off their student loans and lifestyle? If their annual tuition is more than their potential annual salary, it doesn’t make sense. Will the career they choose still be relevant in a few years? Unless you’re a surgeon, regular doctors don’t earn as much as they used to. A.I. (like IBM’s Watson) is diagnosing more accurately than a collection of doctors. For the architects, sound technicians, printers, photographers, musicians, etc. — technology has revolutionized their trade. Sadly, some teachers only know the old trade. What can you expect them to teach? Many say colleges are brainwashing camps where students learn to parrot rather than think. Is that true?

I apologize if I sound so negative. But I am negative only to those who are blind to reality. There is so much hope for those who “see.”

But this is just me. Interested to know your thoughts on this matter. TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Smooth, Funny, Amazing: Mac King’s Rope Trick
Sent by Mike of New York

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Something to Think About

Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this.

The post Made Up Words appeared first on Traveling Archive.

You can surmise from the title that there is a new occupant in our humble abode. Let me establish that I’m not in favor of this permanent visitor. Bloomer is a white Siamese-mix of a cat. This is my wife and my daughter’s idea. Before you accuse me of being an animal hater, let me tell you about our dog.

If you’ve been a subscriber for over 5 years you know about Zoe, our Shi Tzu who I christened “The Dog Who Would Never Die” because she overcame death several times. I never approved of Zoe. But the kids wanted a dog and my wife joined their chorus and their coup to win by majority vote. After a week or so, when the initial cuteness waned, the responsibility of feeding her and bringing her to the vet was thrown to me (as I predicted). What made it even worse was I was the one who was tasked to put him to sleep.

For years they said I shouldn’t feed her human food. But that’s what I fed her because she liked it. She should have died with the diet I gave her but somehow she survived for over 12 years. But one time, Zoe’s fur blocked the passageway of his poop and after crying in pain all evening, the next day I drove her to the Vet for Zoe to be put to sleep. I’m the guy who didn’t want a dog yet I’m the one who had to do the dirty execution alone. Those cowards! On our way,  I remember very clearly Zoe sitting at the passenger seat and staring at me with his teary puppy eyes and whimpering in pain. On the radio a song played “Faithful Friend” by Twila Paris — I kid you not! When I listened to the words, I broke down and cried like a baby. How embarrassing. A few minutes later, I remember the conversation with the Vet. I gave the Vet permission to put my “friend” to sleep. I cried again — in front of the Vet!!! The Vet said he was going to try and save Zoe’s life. Well, that’s what they all say. I left with a heavy cloud. I went home and my daughter hated me because I didn’t even give her an opportunity to say goodbye. The cloud expanded into a thunderstorm throughout the now quiet house.

And then, miracle of miracles! 2 days later, the Vet called and said, Zoe was alive! The Vet gave Zoe a special diet that somehow patched the wound and Zoe returned bald but wagging her tail. It was a joyous time.

Zoe has since passed away. The details are too painful and complicated to explain. The sadness hasn’t left me. And so when my wife said she wanted a cat or another dog, I vehemently refused. Heaven and earth may pass away — but my wife always gets her way. Bloomer arrived when I wasn’t home.

It’s been over a week now and I still have refused to look at The Cat straight in the eye. I don’t even know if it’s a he or a she! I really don’t want to get attached but the darn CAT tries to charm me by sitting on my lap or wrapping around my legs. The worst is when she sleeps beside me. I fear this is going to be a losing battle. Like the Borgs … resistance is futile!

I know I will grow attached to that manipulative animal. I know I will outlive The Creature and I will mourn again. Hurt again. I have every right to be mad at my wife and my daughter. But (and this is a big BUT) when I see my wife doting over that THING, when she comes home excited to see the MONSTER  —- I realize I need to accept The Cat for my wife’s sake. It’s what husbands do. It’s what I do for the one that I love.

“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in 2 days.”
— Bill Dana

TGIF people!

Romance

Shared by Don of Kelowna. B.C.

Laughing Babies and their Pets
Sent by Naomi of N Hollywood

If you can’t stand cuteness, don’t watch this. Infectious baby laughter and some very intelligent animals.

WATCH VIDEO

Heartwarming Magic
Sent by Naomi of N Hollywood

Mixing warmth and magic is pretty unusual. Watch how he astounds and makes people cry.

WATCH VIDEO

Teens and a Rotary Phone
Sent by Francesca of CA

Wanna feel really old? Watch these teens having a hard time figuring out how to use a rotary phone.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Pun 1:

Pun 2:

There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh.

No pun in ten did.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood who shared this photo

The post In the Mood appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Last Saturday, Martha, an elderly friend of mine, fell down a steep staircase. She fractured a few ribs and I believe a crack on her skull. A split second imbalance caused all of that grief.

Yesterday afternoon I was feeling weird. Either it was a strained muscle on my left chest or it was some heart palpitation. Remembering Martha and the outcome of a wrong decision, I wondered if I should go to the ER just in case. With much hesitation, I dragged myself to the ER and that was the start of an 8 hour ordeal.

Dr. H, came in smiling. He spoke softly and walked softly. Reminded me of a sinister James Bond Villain: “Good afternoon, Mr. Bond. How are you feeling? Palpitations? Hmmm … do you have trouble breathing? Does your chest feel heavy? Have you had an EKG? Hmmm … you’ll love my EKG,” he insisted with a smile.

All they did was give me tests: checked my blood pressure, took blood samples, took an x-ray … but strangely, they did not give me any kind of medication. Not even water.

But I saw through their dastardly grin. I know what they were really thinking: “How much money can we squeeze out of this poor unfortunate soul?”  

I was there since about 4pm. At about 6pm, Dr, H comes back in. “Your tests seem to be pretty normal … except for your blood pressure!” (Thunder clapping in the distance.)

“Great! So … can I go now?” I asked.

Dr, H just looked at me intently … sizing me up from head to toe. Searching for a flaw … a face twitch or a stammer. “Actually,” he said, “I want to have you stay overnight and observe your condition.” (Thunder clapping in the distance.)

“What?!?! No way! I have too much to do.” I shrieked. “Not even for your famous EKG!”

Dr. H just looked at me like a raptor about to snap my heart out. He told me to wait in the ER. And so I did. During my “imprisonment” he would come by but he would never say anything to me. Deliberately avoiding eye contact. I think he was secretly observing me — waiting for me to fall off my chair! But I didn’t. At 1:30 they decided to release me from confinement. Actually, I was having too much fun joking with the other patients — their plan backfired. So $155 and 8 hours later, I finally made it back home.

That’s why I am so tired and sleepy. I only had about 4 hours sleep last night. I can’t go on writing. I certainly don’t want to meet Dr, H again. Good night.

“Do you want to speak to the doctor in charge or the nurse that knows what’s going on? 
—  Anonymous

TGIF people!

The Young Doctor

Shared by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

A woman went to the emergency room, where she was seen by a young new doctor. After about 3 minutes in the examination room, the doctor told her she was pregnant. She burst out of the room and ran down the corridor screaming.

An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was. After listening to her story, he calmed her down and sat her in another room. Then, the doctor marched down the hallway to the first doctor’s room.

“What the hell’s wrong with you?” he demanded. “This woman is 68 years old, she has two grown children and several grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?!!”

The new doctor continued to write on his clipboard and without looking up said, …“Does she still have the hiccups?

Bladder Problem

Shared by Mel of Washington, D.C.

Cats vs. Cucumbers
Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

If you’ve got a cat, have you tried this? Does it really scare them? Poor kitty. I asked my son about it and he said the video’s old and that he would never traumatize his cat like that. What do you think?

WATCH VIDEO

Amazing Heartwarming Magic
Sent by Sent by Tom of Pasadena

Heartwarming Magic? Is that even possible? Decide for yourself.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena who shared this photo

The post The Young Doctor appeared first on Traveling Archive.